Nursing professor discusses commitment to student success
Dr. Stacey Hobbick, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, is the first UNF faculty member to finish authoring open content for a course using the Pressbooks platform. The Indiana native teaches several undergraduate nursing courses and her research focuses on utilizing generative AI and its applications to enhance nursing education, curriculum development and instruction. Among her many accomplishments, the prestigious Daisy Award for exceptional nursing faculty.What led you to seek a teaching opportunity at UNF?
I actively pursued an opportunity to teach at UNF once I moved to FL, knowing that the excellent reputation of the University was coupled with opportunities for undergraduate research and community service.
What were your career aspirations growing up?
Growing up, I loved animals and like many kids, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian or a scientist.
Why did you choose to major in nursing?
Columbus, Indiana, did not have access to Certified Nurse midwives when I was in the midst of my pregnancies. I went into nursing with a passion for becoming a nurse midwife and offering that service to the residents in the area. Things changed as I grew older and completed each degree on my way to a terminal nursing degree. Eventually, I discovered my passion for teaching nursing and for the betterment of my profession.
How do you motivate your students?
I love to motivate students with active and interesting learning activities. Most recently, I have instituted branching problem-based learning into my face-to-face courses. I utilize generative AI to help me create these large, messy and life-like case studies. This allows students to work through the problems and make decisions that are much more like real-world nursing than linear care plans. Students are able to answer questions, think about the responses and make decisions and they see the outcomes of their decisions.
What do you enjoy most about working at UNF?
UNF is truly an institution on the rise and an excellent place for professional development. I love the interdisciplinary support I have received, such as the faculty writing group, and the excellent support provided by CIRT and the OFE.
As a participant in UNF's OER Initiative, how important is it to utilize technology platforms to help teach students?
It's vital to our students' future and success that we acknowledge and engage in utilizing technology platforms to support our work and our students' learning. Additionally, it is important to utilize or author OER materials as often as we can in order to make education truly accessible to all.
How has being an educator impacted your life?
Being an educator has profoundly impacted my life, both personally and professionally. It has helped me develop patience, empathy, adaptability and strong communication skills, enriching my personal life and relationships. The commitment to lifelong learning has kept me intellectually stimulated and has positively influenced my growth.
The sense of purpose and fulfillment I derive from shaping my students' minds and futures is incredibly motivating. Being a mentor and role model, guiding them through challenges, and celebrating their successes has been deeply rewarding. Witnessing their growth and seeing them achieve their goals has brought immense satisfaction and pride.
Being an educator has taught me resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, making me better equipped to handle adversity in all aspects of life. The meaningful, lifelong connections I have formed with students and colleagues has provided me with a strong support network and a sense of community.
What book(s) are you currently reading or recently read?
As of April, I am reading "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI" by Ethan Mollick
Who/what inspires you to be your best?
My inspiration to do my best stems from two primary sources: my students' success and the provision of excellent patient care.
Witnessing my students' growth, achievements, and "aha" moments is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to continually improve my teaching strategies and create a supportive learning environment. Their success pushes me to stay current in my field and to be the best educator I can be.
Equally important is my commitment to promoting excellent patient care. As a nurse educator, I have the responsibility of preparing my students to deliver high-quality, compassionate, and evidence-based care. Knowing that the future of healthcare rests in their hands inspires me to be thorough, innovative and passionate about my work.
What are your hobbies?
I love to run. I recently ran the Walt Disney World Princess 10k and Half-Marathon and I look forward to running the Walt Disney World Wine and Dine 5k, 10k, and half-marathon in November. I also enjoy reading fantasy novels such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan. I love to go hiking to enjoy nature and spend time with my family and my dogs.
What is one thing people may not know about you?
When I lived in South Carolina before moving to Florida, my family and I used to have a hobby farm with chickens, goats, donkeys, rabbits and hedgehogs.